Tropical Depression Eight

Tropical Depression Eight has formed in the Atlantic. More than likely this will remain a depression over the next couple days as it slowly drifts to the northwest.

Rainfall Overnight, Showers Friday

As a cold front moved through the state overnight, some heavy rain fell in spots, especially from the Farmville to Petersburg areas and southward into Southeastern Virginia. Most places picked up less than half an inch, but a few spots picked up 1" to 2", based on radar estimates. Here are some estimates:
Farmville: 1.4"
Petersburg/Colonial Heights: 2.4"
Portsmouth: 1.6"
Williamsburg: 1.1"
Charlottesville: 0.8"
Victoria: 0.6"
Richmond: 0.5"

Scattered showers will continue to move into Central Virginia Friday morning, but should wind down from North to South Friday afternoon.

Virginia State Fair Opens Today!

The Virginia State Fair opens today at 10 a.m., when skies should be variably cloudy with warm and humid conditions expected today. With all the low-level moisture in place during the peak afternoon heating, scattered showers and isolated storms will be possible in Central Virginia. It won't be raining everywhere all the time; these will be the hit-or-miss variety of convection. Just keep a slicker or umbrella handy today if you're going to the Fair. Here is an hour-by-hour forecast today:

10AM: Variably cloudy. 79 degrees.

Noon: 20% chance isolated shower. 83 degrees.

5PM: 30% chance scattered showers/storms. 87 degrees.

9PM: 30% chance scattered showers/storms. 76 degrees.

A cold front will move through the state overnight, putting an end to our unseasonably warm and humid weather. Rain chances look slim for Friday at the Fair, but a fast-moving upper-level trough will bring another opportunity for showers and storms Saturday night (most likely after dark) through Sunday morning (likely ending by lunchtime). Scattered showers and storms will also be possible in Central Virginia Monday.

Enjoy the Fair!